Ahead of Sunday evening’s Democratic debate, Bernie Sanders dropped his healthcare plan to counteract talk from his opponents. Sanders hasn’t made a secret of planning to raise taxes on wealthier brackets to fund this plan, and he fully anticipated opposition with the plan’s unveiling. Hillary Clinton and Sanders both believe in universal healthcare, but they can’t quite agree on how this will happen. During the debate, Clinton accused Sanders of not knowing his own “details” and allegedly trying to dismantle Obamacare. Sanders branded her take as “nonsense.”
So, what does Bernie Sanders truly want to do with healthcare? He aims to reduce the number of uninsured by providing “Medicare For All,” and here’s how he plans to accomplish this goal:
- The Cost: The plan will cost $1.38 trillion per year to implement, but promises to put up to $5,000 per year back in the pockets of most U.S. families. This will happen by reducing out-of-pocket costs associated with hospital, physician, and pharmacy visits. Sanders hopes this plan will allow the government to negotiate with greater power than ordinary citizens currently hold.
- Hassle-Free Health Care: Sanders’ plan would require only an insurance card to visit a doctor. All co-pays and deductibles would disappear, along with the hassle of haggling with insurance companies over what costs would be covered.
- Separation From Employment: Citizens would no longer be confined to the healthcare plans provided (and subsidized) by their employers. However, employers will pay a 6.2% income-based healthcare premium to help pay for Sanders’ program.
- The Biggest Claim: Sanders projects that his plan will ultimately eliminate wasteful costs in the current healthcare systems. Over the next decade, Sanders says the plan will save $6 trillion in unnecessary costs related to the current insurance systems. A simplified payment structure and government bargaining will be key to making this happen.
- Yes, Taxes Will Pay For The Program: In addition to employer-based taxes, Sanders’ plan adds three tax brackets and will raise taxes on the wealthy (at a maximum of 52% for the richest citizens). This is a significant boost from the 39.6% current top rate. All Americans would be subject to a 2.2% healthcare premium, which will be based upon federal income taxes.
- Deductions Will Protect The Poor: A family of four with income at or below $28,800 won’t be required to pay this healthcare premium; and a family of four making $50,000 will pay less than $500 for the premium.
- Other Sources Of Funding: Higher estate taxes on the wealthiest citizens will be a source of funding. Capital gains and dividends will also be subject to an increased tax plan.
Of course, this is only the plan’s outline. Sanders will reveal more if and when he claims the Democratic presidential nomination.
(Via BernieSanders.com)